“No wonder everyone thinks that cycling is hard" - Tom Pidcock gets a taste of typical cycling experience in Andorra
Cycling
Tom Pidcock got a taste of one of the most common things every amateur cyclist experiences at one time or another - feeling unfit while on the bike. Watching Pidcock and the sport's biggest stars rip up legendary climbs, cobbles and gravel across the season, cycling fans would be forgiven for believing that the professionals are immune to feeling off the pace.
But alas, Tom Pidcock sometimes feels the shortness of breath that amateur cyclists also fear. Posting to social media, the British rider shared a hilarious video to complain about feeling off the pace after just three weeks of the off-season.
The Pinarello Q36.5 rider finished off his season at the Tour of Guangxi on October 18th with a second place overall in the World Tour race. After a busy block of racing in September saw him record multiple top tens at Italian classics as well as at the World Championships.
With teams set to re-convene for pre-season training camps in the coming weeks, Pidcock picked up his bike following a period of rest following Guangxi and got a rude awakening when the road went uphill.
“Back in lovely Andorra,” Pidcock said in an Instagram video. He added: “Man, I hate being unfit.”
Tom Pidcock
“No wonder everyone thinks that cycling is hard"
Seeing the funny side in a rare moment of vulnerability on the bike, the multi-discipline star got a taste of what it's like to suffer. He added: “No wonder everyone thinks that cycling is hard, if this is what it's like to be unfit on a bike."
With the 2027 season fast approaching, there's no doubt that Pidcock will re-find his groove ahead of spring and some major goals. With Giulio Ciccone among other riders joining the team in a busy transfer market, the team now have a second leader alongside the Yorkshire rider.
For sports director Gabriele Missaglia, two prongs of attack is better than one for the big races, noting that both Pidcock and Ciccone can find clear benefits in donning the same jersey. He thinks that the pressure of being the sole leader is the biggest of those perks.
"I’d rather have two spirited riders than one," Missaglia told BiciPro. "In my view, both should see the positive side of things.
Read also
Ciccone joins Pinarello Q36.5
"For me, and for them, not having all the pressure on a sole rider can be an advantage. Sharing the responsibilities, even in the same race, is better, not just tactically but also in terms of managing the pressure."
On Ciccone, the Italian's transfer marks a major move for Pinarello and signals that the 31-year-old is all-in. He hopes that he can settle in, with a core Italian staff important in helping him hit the ground running.
"Giulio is certainly motivated. If a rider breaks a multi-year contract with a team like Lidl-Trek to join us, it's a sign he's up for the challenge.
"The team is all new for Giulio, but there are Italian staff, and he was welcomed with open arms. We all know he's open and a straight talker. That's the kind of people I like to work with."
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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santiagobenites10-11-2026
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